According to the Bastian Voice Institute in Chicago, the vocal folds are comparable to a glistening pair of lips that vibrate against one another when singing, located within the larynx or voice box.

The surface tissue of the folds – called the mucosa – and tiny capillaries make up this instrument.

A vocal fold hemorrhage results from vigorous vibration (over-singing or over-use of the voice).
One of the capillaries bursts and blood leaks out, bruising the mucosa.

“This can happen to anyone as a result of extreme vocal trauma,” said Robert Bastian, M.D., of the institute.

Most of this bruising self-repairs in short order, with time and vocal rest; in many cases it can be safe to do gentle singing a week after the event, provided vocal capabilities, such as range and clarity, have returned to normal.

However, sometimes a polyp forms; this looks like a blood blister in top of the fold.

If this polyp persists, it may need to be surgically removed.

How to Avoid It

The primary approach to a hemorrhage is prevention, as well as behavioral management and facilitation of the singer’s recuperative powers, Bastian said.

Singers are encouraged to warm-up slowly and softly, focusing attention on low breathing from the diaphragm, relaxing the tongue, neck and jaw muscles and focusing the sound and vocal resonance in the “mask” area of the face.

Singers also are advised not to “over-sing,” that is, to push their vocal mechanism beyond a comfortable volume, capability and range.

Continued healthy practice habits will build the voice up over time, according to voice teachers.

Singers that suffer extreme vocal demands and rigorous schedules also are encouraged to provide their instruments with vocal rest and proper hydration and care.

The good news is that even if surgery is required, singers, like Sparks, can return to a productive career – though, hopefully, a career which pays greater attention to vocal health.

Spark’s Come-Back

Now, with a string of hit singles and two multimillion-selling CDs behind her, the singer hasn’t lost her spark or the voice that earned a record-shattering amount of votes on “Idol’s” sixth season.

But Sparks senses that it was a close call.

“It could have been very bad. I could have never sung again or done some permanent damage to really hurt my voice and sound completely different.

For someone who didn’t know and who had never seen what the vocal cords look like, it was very scary.”

The singer was ordered to strict vocal rest but made a full recovery. And these days, she takes a lot of precautions.

“I know I can’t just go out there and sing. I have to warm up. I love to talk and love meeting new people, but now I have to limit myself and be careful.”

Megan Gloss is a classically trained singer and journalist based in the United States. E-mail her at mgloss@mchsi.com.

I can relate. I had a hemmoragic polyp removed in 2008. Dr. Robert Bastien was my wonderful surgeon!!

Melissa Black

As her former voice coach – i am so glad she recovered!!! I had her years ago when she was 14 and 15 and she was fantastic in every way!!!!!!

2oldman

“Vocal Chord Images are courtesy of the Bastien Voice Institute.”

It’s vocal cord.

Johndbell

Something has happened to my voice. I am a 57 year old male baritone and my symptom is that when I sing in modal voice even in the middle of my range, I notice that my voice breaks up into something that sounds like vocal fry and I sound like a rock singer. I have never wanted to make this sound with my voice — it is not pleasant sound and I am not able to control it. I am still able to sing, but only very softly before my voice goes out into this vocal-fry-like sound. I am familiar with what happens when I try to sing too high and my voice tires out, but this seems different. I am guilty of a little bit of straining when I try to demo a tenor part– usually I can rest my voice and it get’s better, but this seems different. Help!

Nhscst

Her career was about to surge? Here in Massachusetts, she recently played a club which is connected to a bowling alley in a seedy, small town. Compare that to some of the other American Idol winners.

My niece was staying in the same hotel as Ms. Sparks in Los Angeles two years ago. When my niece said “Hello” to her as she was passing her in a common corridor, she turned her head and completely ignored my niece (she was 12 years old at the time) and didn’t even acknowledge her. My niece had been a huge fan at the time, but that crushed her, and she immediately threw her Jordin Sparks CD in the garbage.

Yeah, Jordin Sparks is sure one class act.

tina

You’re right. You totally know bout her after one encounter. congratulations on discovering the TRUE jordin sparks.